DeLap optimistic about coaching future

Former Ioina coach hoping to continue 34-year career when health improves

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By Andrew Robertsandrew.roberts@sentinel-standard.com

Ionia Sentinel - Standard-Ionia, MI

By Andrew Robertsandrew.roberts@sentinel-standard.com

Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 12:18 AM
Updated Jan 29, 2013 at 12:23 AM

By Andrew Robertsandrew.roberts@sentinel-standard.com

Posted Jan. 29, 2013 at 12:18 AM
Updated Jan 29, 2013 at 12:23 AM

IONIA

Despite deciding to resign due to health issues, former Ionia boys basketball coach Mark DeLap said he is not ready to give up his passion for being on the bench sometime in the future.

The 34-year coaching veteran informed Swinehart about a week ago that he was resigning from his post effective immediately due to his health issues. He said that having to step down from the Bulldog job was a tough decision.

"The team was starting to gel and had improved from last year by 150 points on offense," DeLap said. "I thought that our defense was coming along and I think that the team will be in a position to do some damage in the second half of the season."

"I hated having to step down when I did, but (athletic director) Scott Swinehart is no second-rate coach. If anybody can salvage the season, it's him."

Swinehart has coached the Bulldogs in their last two games and will be the head coach of the team until the end of the season.

DeLap said he has been battling the same type of virus that has hospitalized TV journalist Barbara Walters, which lead to him suffering from a 103-degree fever earlier this year and caused him to have a fainting spell while in the equipment cage at the high school.

After being examined by a doctor, DeLap found out the cause of his illness and that his blood pressure was elevated, which he said was extremely unusual.

"My blood pressure has always been low, even with the pressures of coaching," he said. "I have it regulated now with medication, but I thought it best to step away from coaching for a while, which has been tough because it is such a passion of mine."

Although his health has forced him to step away from the court for now, DeLap said he is no stranger to bouncing back from adversity, and is focused on returning to coaching.

"I have broken my neck twice, recovered from a devastating car accident and I am a cancer survivor and been able to bounce back," he said. "With things the way they are right now (with my health), I might hard to employ right now, but I am not ready to give up on the idea of coaching again in the future."